Early Symptoms of Liver Failure
Liver failure is a condition in which a major part of the liver is damaged. There are number of factors responsible for causing liver failure. To know about the early symptoms of liver failure, read on. Here is the way to prevent liver failure .
Liver failure occurs when the liver loses its ability to function properly. This a progressive condition that causes severe damage to the liver. It may take months or even years for liver failure to develop. As the liver is a multitasking organ, it has a number of functions such as food digestion, elimination of toxic chemicals from the blood and production of important proteins. The liver is also responsible for producing bile, an alkaline compound that helps digest food.
They are 2 types of liver failure: Acute and Chronic. In acute liver failure, the liver functions deteriorate rapidly. The abrupt fall of liver function is marked by confusion, coma and stupor. In chronic liver failure, the deterioration of the liver functions occur slowly, over a period of time.
Symptoms of Liver Failure
The early symptoms of chronic liver failure are similar to those occurring in other medical conditions. Hence the diagnosis of liver failure in the initial stages of development, may be difficult. In some cases, the person may not show any early symptoms. Often the symptoms appear when the liver is damaged considerably. People suffering from this condition may have eating disorders that may lead to rapid weight loss, frequent urination and excessive drinking of water. Decrease in the intake of food can lead to severe weakness and anemia. In general, the most common symptoms of liver failure, that may occur initially, are as follows:
- Loss of Appetite
- Diarrhea
- Nausea
- Weakness
- Lethargy
- Fatigue
As the condition aggravates, liver failure symptoms become severe. The common symptoms associated with advanced liver failure are as follows:
Jaundice: This is a liver disease and is the main symptom of liver failure. Presence of jaundice indicates that there is a problem with the liver. In this condition, the color of the skin changes to pale yellow. The white portion of the eye may also turn yellow. When the liver is not functioning properly, it often leads to jaundice.
Pale Colored Stool: This occurs due to the inability of the liver to excrete bile. The stool gets darker because of the bile.
Increased Bruising and Bleeding: The affected person bruises and bleeds easily. The main reason being the liver’s inability to produce essential coagulant proteins.
Severe Itching: This is caused by the deposition of bile in the skin.
Abdominal pain: This is the result of enlargement and inflammation of the liver.
Confusion or Mental disorientation: This is often the result of the accumulation of toxins in the body.
Blood Sugar Irregularities: This happens because the liver is unable to assist the pancreas in the metabolism of carbohydrates.
Other symptoms that may be experienced in the later stage of chronic liver failure are depression, muscle tremors and even seizures.
Causes of Liver Failure
Chronic liver failure, where the impairment of liver functions develop slowly, may be due to a number of reasons. Excessive alcohol intake is often considered the main cause of chronic liver failure. Viral infections such as hepatitis B and hepatitis C, cause damage to the liver and may lead to chronic liver failure. Other factors that greatly increase the risk of chronic liver failure are malnutrition and diseases like cirrhosis and hemochromatosis. Causes of Acute liver failure include acetaminophen overdose and reactions to certain prescription drugs.
Treatment for Liver Failure
Treatment options totally depend on the cause. The treatment aims at salvaging the portion of the liver that has not been damaged. Alcohol consumption must be strictly avoided as it can further damage the liver. In case of acute liver failure caused due to an overdose of acetaminophen, treatment is given to reverse the effects. If this cannot be accomplished, liver transplant is commonly recommended, if the condition has reached the advanced stage. This procedure is often successful in treating liver failure.
In order to prevent liver failure, one should drink alcohol only in moderation and should be immunized with the hepatitis vaccine. One must also have a nutritious diet and should practice proper hygiene to prevent diseases, as well as regular liver detox naturally.
By Nikhil Joshi
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